Stuart began his career by making documentaries in the 1960s and 1970s with David L. Wolper. He won an Emmy for his 1963 film, The Making of the President, 1960. His 1964 documentary Four Days in November about the Kennedy assassination was nominated for an Oscar.

In 1971, Stuart directed his most famous flick, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The film, based on the Roald Dahl novel "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," starred Gene Wilder in the title role. The movie was remade in 2005 starring Johnny Depp.

Stuart later directed and produced numerous movies of the week as well as the television series Ripley's Believe it or Not. He's received four Emmys and a Peabody award in addition to his various nominations.

Stuart is survived by his daughter Madeleine and sons Andrew and Peter.